Modular wall stud brace

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structural members to each other comprises a ridged member extending between first and second ends and having a length sufficient to extend between two adjacent structural members and a socket at each of the first and second ends of the rigid member. Each socket has a central axis therethrough and is formed of a base panel and first and second side panels. At least one of the sockets is adapted to engage with a socket of an adjacent rigid member so as to interlink successive rigid members across a plurality of structural members wherein the rigid member is connected to the first panels at an end thereof distal to the base panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to structural reinforcement in general andin particular to reinforcing adjacent wall studs to each other.

2. Description of Related Art

In the field of construction, it is often desirable to make a structureas strong as possible. The strength of a building is desirable for thepurposes of load bearing ability as well as resistance to outside loadssuch as earthquakes, wind and other environmental loading.

Building construction typically includes a plurality of elongate membersconnected each other to form walls, ceilings, floor and the like. In thecase of walls, such elongate wall members are often referred to as studswhile in ceilings and roofs, they may be referred to as joist.

One difficulty that exists is the tendency of relatively long structuralmembers to lose strength and rigidity as their length increases. This isparticularly a difficulty for relatively long slender members such aswall studs and the like. Such wall studs may commonly be subject tobuckling failure. Another difficulty that exists with wall studs is thatwalls formed by conventional wall studs is that such constructiontechniques may be less resistant to shear loads than they are tocompressive loads. Under such loads, wall studs may be prone to rotateabout their end connections to the top and bottom plate. The resultingdeflection of the entire load above such a wall may contribute to anentire building failing or collapsing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there isdisclosed an apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structural members toeach other. Each of the structural members extend between top and bottomends and have front and rear surfaces. The apparatus comprises a ridgedmember extending between first and second ends and having a lengthsufficient to extend between two adjacent structural members and asocket at each of the first and second ends of the rigid member. Eachsocket has a central axis therethrough and is formed of a base panel andfirst and second side panels. At least one of the sockets is adapted toengage with a socket of an adjacent rigid member so as to interlinksuccessive rigid members across a plurality of structural memberswherein the rigid member is connected to the first panels at an endthereof distal to the base panel.

The base panel of each socket may be abuttable at against acorresponding base panel wherein the first and second side panels areengagable with corresponding first and second side panels of theadjacent socket. The one of the first or second edge may be angularlyoriented relative to the central axis. The side panels of the socket mayoverlap the side panels of the adjacent socket when the socket isengaged therewith. At least one of the first and second panels and thebase panel may include fastener bores therethrough.

The central axes of the first and second sockets may be substantiallyparallel to each other. The rigid member may extend diagonally betweenthe first and second sockets, such that the rigid member is angularlyoriented relative to the central axes of the first and second socket.The second side panels may include an end tab connectable to adjacentend tabs of a corresponding socket of an adjacent rigid member locatedon an opposed edge of the structural member. The first side panel mayhave a length selected to position the rigid member at a positionbetween proximate to the first edge and proximate to the second edge ofthe structural member.

The first side panel may have a length selected to position the rigidmember at a midpoint between the first and second edges of thestructural member such that rigid members positioned from opposed edgesof the structural member are proximate to each other. The rigid membersmay have a space therebetween.

The structural member may comprise a channel, further comprising areinforcing body sized correspond to the channel to be located withinthe channel at a position corresponding to one of the first and secondsockets. The reinforcing body may have a c-shaped cross section. Thereinforcing body may have a question mark shaped cross section.

At least one of the first panels of the first or second sockets mayinclude a tab extending perpendicularly therefrom adapted to overly acap positioned perpendicularly to the structural members. At least oneof the base panels of the first or second sockets may include a tabextending co-planarly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positionedperpendicularly to the structural members. One of the first or secondsockets may comprise an end plate extending substantially perpendicularto a central axis of the other of the first or second sockets forengaging a cap positioned perpendicularly to the structural members. Theend plate may include a side plate extending perpendicularly therefromto engage a side of the cap.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention whereinsimilar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of apparatuses according toa first embodiment of the present invention for reinforcing structuralmembers located across wall studs.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one of the apparatuses of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of one of the apparatuses of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front profile view of two of the apparatuses of FIG. 2applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the two apparatus of FIG. 4 as takenalong the line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG.2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming an apparatus forreinforcing structural members located across wall studs according to afurther embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front profile view of an apparatus for reinforcingstructural members according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of one of the sockets of theapparatus of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing adjacentwall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of two of the apparatuses ofFIG. 10 being applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of wall studsreinforced with the apparatus of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of two of the apparatus of FIG. 10 appliedbetween two wall studs.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as takenalong the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as takenalong the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as takenalong the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcingadjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention having tabs for securing the apparatus to top or bottom wallcaps.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 17 applied to awall stud and bottom cap.

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcingadjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention having tabs for securing the apparatus to top or bottom wallcaps.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing wall studsto a bottom or end cap according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG.10.

FIG. 23 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 21 with theextension omitted.

FIG. 24 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 17 with anoptional bottom plate.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of two of the apparatuses forreinforcing adjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of thepresent invention being applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 25 with anoptional bottom connector

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 25 with anoptional bottom connector

FIG. 28 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a wall having staggered studs having aplurality of an apparatus for reinforcing the studs applied theretoaccording to a further embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing an endstaggered stud according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds to a bottom member according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggeredstuds to a bottom member according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for stabilizing adjacent wall studs 6according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at20. The wall studs 6 may be of any conventional type, such as by way ofnon-limiting example dimensioned lumber, engineered studs, compositematerial studs, plastic studs, metal I or C-channel studs, or laminatedveneer lumber and extend between top and bottom ends, 8 and 10,respectively. It will also be appreciated that the present apparatus maybe useful for stabilizing any other type of wall structural member, suchas, by way of non-limiting example, floor joists roof trusses or thelike. The wall studs 6 as illustrated have front and rear surfaces, 12and 14, respectively, as are conventionally known.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 20 comprises a rigidmember 22 extending between first and second ends, 24 and 26,respectively. The first and second ends have first and second sockets 30and 50, respectively extending therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thefirst and second sockets are adapted to receive one of the front or rearsurfaces 12 or 14 of the wall studs 6 therein. As further illustrated inFIG. 1, the first socket 30 of one apparatus is engagable with a secondsocket 50 of an adjacent apparatus so as to be interlocked therewith aswill be more fully described below.

The rigid member 22 may be formed of any known shape. As illustrated,the rigid member 22 may be formed of a substantially planar member,although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well,such as, by way of non-limiting example, a tube, a bar, a box section,an I-beam, a c-shaped channel, an L-shaped channel or a triangular crosssection beam. It will also be appreciated that the rigid member 22 mayalso include strengthening flanges or ribs extending therefrom as arecommonly known. The rigid member 22 may be formed of any suitablematerial, such as, by way of non-limiting example, metal, plastic,ceramics or the like. It will also be appreciated that although theapparatus 20 may be formed of bent sheet metal, it may also be formed byother means such as an extruded, cast or welded structure.

The first socket 30 is formed of a base panel 32 having first and secondside panels, 34 and 36, respectively extending therefrom. The first andsecond side panels 34 and 36 extend substantially perpendicularly fromthe base panel 32 so as to form a u-shaped socket along a central axis42 for receiving the wall stud 6 therein. It will be appreciated thatthe width of the base panel may be selected to space the first andsecond side panels apart by a distance corresponding to the width of thewall stud such as approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) for use with aconventional 2×4 dimension lumber wall stud, by way of non-limitingexample. Each of the first and second side panels includes fastenerbores 38 and 40, respectively, therethrough sized to receive fasteners,such as, by way of non-limiting example, screws or nails therethrough aswill be more fully described below.

The base plate comprises a substantially planar member extending betweentop and bottom edges, 44 and 46, respectively. As illustrated, thebottom edge 46 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis 42of the socket while the top edge 44 is angularly oriented relative tothe central axis 42. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the top edge may have atop incline angle, generally indicated at 48 of between 0 and 60 degreesrelative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis. As illustrated,the first side panel 34 may have a length selected to extend above andbelow the top and bottom edges 44 and 46 of the base panel 32 while thesecond side has a length selected to extend above the top edge 44 of thebase panel 32.

The second socket 50 is formed of a base panel 52 having first andsecond side panels, 54 and 56, respectively extending therefrom. Thefirst and second side panels 54 and 56 extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the base panel 52 so as to form a u-shaped socketalong a central axis 62 for receiving the wall stud 6 therein. It willbe appreciated that the width of the base panel may be selected to spacethe first and second side panels apart by a distance corresponding tothe width of the wall stud such as approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) foruse with a conventional 2×4 dimension lumber wall stud, by way ofnon-limiting example. Each of the first and second side panels includesfastener bores 58 and 60, respectively, therethrough sized to receivefasteners, such as, by way of non-limiting example, screws or nailstherethrough. As will be more fully described below the fastener bores38, 40, 58 and 60 may be located such that a common fasteners may bepassed through a pair of corresponding bores when adjacent apparatusesare secured together.

The base panel 52 comprises a substantially planar member extendingbetween top and bottom edges, 64 and 66, respectively. As illustrated,the top edge 64 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis42 of the socket while the bottom edge 66 is angularly oriented relativeto the central axis 42. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom edge mayhave a bottom incline angle, generally indicated at 68 of between 0 and60 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Thetop and bottom incline angles 48 and 68 will be selected to correspondto each other such that when sockets of adjacent apparatuses 20 arelocated adjacent to each other, they may be abutted against each otheras illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. As illustrated, the first side panel 34may have a length selected to extend above and below the top and bottomedges 44 and 46 of the base panel 32 while the second side has a lengthselected to extend above the top edge 44 of the base panel 32. In such amanner, the first and second side plates of such abutted sockets may beoverlapped with each other as will be more fully described below.

With reference to FIG. 4, in operation, a first apparatus 20 a may belocated on a wall stud 6 with the front edge 12 of the wall studreceived within a first socket 30. Thereafter, a second apparatus 20 b,may be located on the same wall stud 6 with front edge 12 of the wallsocket being received within the second socket 50 at a position abovethe first socket 30 of the first apparatus 20 a. Thereafter, the secondapparatus 20 b may be moved in a downward direction so as to engage thebottom edge 66 of the second socket 50 of the second apparatus 20 bagainst the top edge 44 of the first socket 30 of the first apparatus 20a. In such a position, the first and second side panels 54 and 56 of thesecond socket on the second apparatus will overlap the first and secondside panels 34 and 36 of the first socket of the first apparatus.Thereafter, fasteners 70 may be passed through corresponding sets ofbores 38 and 60 and 58 and 40 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Optionally, thesockets 30 and 50 may include barbs, spikes or other suitableprojections from an interior surface thereof so as to engage the wallstud when the apparatus 20 is secured thereto.

The rigid member 22 has a length selected to extend between adjacentwall studs 6. By way of non-limiting example, the rigid member has alength sufficient to space the central axes 42 and 62 of the first andsockets apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between thewall studs. Such spacing will be dictated by the wall construction typeand may therefore be of any suitable range, such as by way ofnon-limiting example, 16 inches (406 mm) for 16 inch on centerconstruction walls. It will be appreciated that other distances may besuitable as well. As illustrated, the rigid member extends away fromeach socket so as to form an incline angle, generally indicated at 72between the rigid member 22 and the central axes 42 and 62 of the firstand second sockets. The incline angle 72 is selected to permit theapparatus to extend diagonally between adjacent wall studs and may havean angle of between 30 and 60 degrees with an angle of 45 degrees havingbeen found to be particularly useful.

As illustrated, the base panels 32 and 52 may be formed of acontinuation of the rigid member 22 or may be a separate member securedthereto by fasteners, adhesives or the like. It will be appreciated thatin embodiments where the base panels are co-formed with the rigidmember, that the rigid member and base panels 32 and 52 will beco-planar with the rigid member 22.

With reference to FIG. 6, the apparatus 20 may be cut from a singlesheet of metal, such as, by way of non-limiting example, steel,stainless steel, aluminium or galvanized steel. The sheet metal may becut into a blank according to known methods and thereafter bend into thedesired shape as illustrated and described above. Any thickness of metalas required to provide the necessary strength may be utilized such asbetween 12 and 22 gauge. In particular, it has been found that sheetmetal of between 16 and 20 gauge has been useful. It will also beappreciated that the apparatus 20—may also be formed of non-metalmaterials, such as, by way of non-limiting example, carbon fibre,fibreglass, plastics, ceramics and composite materials. It will also beappreciated that although elongate, substantially straight members areshown, non-straight members may also be utilized, such as, by way ofnon-limiting example, arcuate, space frame, plates or any other shape aslong as the sockets 104 and 106 are rigidly translationally fixedrelative to each other so as to securely locate the adjacent structuralmember relative to each other.

The sheet metal may be cut into a blank according to known methods andthereafter bend into the desired shape as illustrated and describedabove. In particular, the blank may include a central portion 102 whichforms the rigid member 22, top and bottom portions, 102 and 104,respectively having an outline sufficient to be bent along bend lines108 to form the top and bottom sockets 30 and 50 as described above.Thereafter, the blank 100 may be folded along the fold lines 108 to formthe desired final apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 7, a blank for forming an optional embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated having extension tabs 110 extendingfrom the second side panels 36 and 56 of the first and second sockets.The extension tabs 110 may include additional bores 112 therethroughsized to pass fasteners therethrough as described above. The extensiontabs 110 may have a length sufficient to extend to and engage with asocket applied to a rear edge 14 of the wall stud when the socket isapplied to a front surface of the wall stud wherein a single fastenermay be passed through both bores 112. Optionally, the extension tab 110may have a length sufficient to pass around the rear edge 114 of thewall stud to permit wrapping of the wall stud within the socket.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, an optional embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated generally at 150 having a rigid member 152 withend sockets 154 at each end thereof. The end sockets are formed of basepanels 156 having first and second side panels, 158 and 160,respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 158and 160 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 156 soas to form a u-shaped socket along a central axis 162 for receiving thewall stud 6 therein. As described above, the width of the base panel maybe selected to space the first and second side panels apart by adistance corresponding to the width of the wall stud such asapproximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) for use with a conventional 2×4dimension lumber wall stud, by way of non-limiting example. Each of thefirst and second side panels includes fastener bores 164 and 166,respectively, therethrough sized to receive fasteners, such as, by wayof non-limiting example, screws or nails therethrough as will be morefully described below. The base panel 156 may also optionally include afastener bore 168 therethrough.

Each of the first and second side panels 158 and 160 includes an endtab, 170 and 172, respectively extending therefrom away from the centralaxis 162 of the socket 154. Each end tab 170 and 172 includes aconnection bore, 174 and 176 therethrough. The apparatuses 150 asillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be applied to the wall studs 6 suchthat a socket of one apparatus is adjacent to and abuts against acorresponding socket of an adjacent apparatus wherein the end tabs 170and 172 of the sockets will abut against each other. Thereafterfasteners, such as, bolts screws and the like may be passed through theconnection bores 174 and 176 so as to secure the sockets 154 to eachother.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated generally at 200 in which the rigid member 22is located at a distance away from the first or second surfaces 12 or 14of the wall studs. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rigid member 22extends from an edge of the first panels 34 and 54 distal from the basepanels 32 and 54. In such a manner the base member will be offset fromthe base panels and thereby the front or rear surfaces 12 or 14 of thewall studs 6 by a distance corresponding to the length of the firstpanels 34 and 54. With reference to FIG. 13, the ridged members 22 maybe located substantially proximate to the midpoint of the wall studs 6such that a gap 202 is maintained between corresponding braces locatedon each side of the wall studs. Such a gap will be useful to separatethe two sides of the wall from each and thereby to maintain a thermalbarrier therebetween and may be selected to be any dimension between 0inches and the depth of the wall stud 6 between the front and rearsurfaces 12 and 14.

The apparatus 200 may include a coupling plate 155 extending from eachof the second side plates 36 and 56. The coupling plates 155 of twocorresponding apparatuses 200 may be aligned with each other whenapplied to opposing surfaces of the wall stud as illustrated in FIGS. 11through 13. Thereafter fasteners (not shown) may be passed through boreswithin the coupling plates so as to secure the sockets around the wallstud. The length of the second side plates 36 and 56 will be selected topermit the coupling plates 155 of the front and rear apparatuses tosubstantially meet each other with the sockets 30 and 50 closelysurrounding the wall stud. As illustrated, a gap 204 may be providedbetween the coupling plates 155 so as to permit the inclusion of agasket (not shown) or the like therebetween.

As set out above, the lengths of the first side plates 34 and 54 andsecond side plates 54 and 56 are selected depending upon the size of thewall stud 6. It will be therefore appreciated that any dimensions may bechosen depending upon the size of the selected wall stud, such as, byway of non-limiting example, 2×4, 2×6 for dimension lumber wall studs orup to 14 inches or greater for use with steel studs. Additionally,although the apparatus of FIG. 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13as being applied to wall studs in matching pairs, it will also beappreciated that the apparatus may be applied to only one of the frontor rear surface of the wall studs. In such applications, the length ofthe first side plates 34 and 54 may be selected to be up to or equal tothe depth of the wall stud so as so position the rigid member 22adjacent to and co-planar with the opposite surface from which theapparatus is applied as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26. Any depthbetween the front and rear surface of the wall stud may be accordinglyselected. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rigid member 200 may includetop and bottom strengthening flanges 21 and 23 which extend from therigid member 22 in a direction towards the base panels 32 and 52.

With reference to FIGS. 11 through 16, the apparatus 200 may also beapplied to metal wall studs 6. It will be appreciated that metal wallstuds are commonly formed of a channel section having an open centralpassage 205 therein. Metal studs may also be formed of an I-channelsection with central grooves on each side of a central web. It will beappreciated that the methods described below will be equally applicableto I channel wall studs as well by providing shallower bracing member.As illustrated in FIG. 11, the wall assembly may include a reinforcingmember 210 located within the channel. The reinforcing member 210comprises a base plate 212 having side plates 214 extendingperpendicularly therefrom so as to form a c-shaped channel section. Thebase plate 212 and side plates 214 are selected to correspond to thedimensions of the metal wall stud passage 205 so as to form a continuousrectangular section when located therein. Optionally the side plates 214may include end flanges 216 extending perpendicularly towards each otheras illustrated in FIG. 14 or away from each other as illustrated in FIG.15. In operation, the reinforcing member 210 may be located within thepassage 205 of the metal stud at a position corresponding to thelocation where the first or second socket 30 or 50 is to be located asillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thereafter, the first or second socket30 or 50 may be secured to the metal stud and the reinforcing memberwith fasteners as set out above.

It will be appreciated that the reinforcing member 210 serves to providea secure location along metal wall studs for the rigid member 22 to bebraced against when the rigid member is offset from the front or rearsurfaces of the wall stud. With reference to FIG. 16, according to anoptional embodiment, the reinforcing member 210 may be formed to belocated behind one of the rigid member. In such embodiments, thereinforcing member 210 may be formed with only one side plate 214 and abase plate extending only halfway across the wall stud passage to thecoupling plates 155. Optionally the base plate 212 may includepositioning plate 218 extending therefrom at a position between thecoupling plates 155.

Turning now to FIG. 17, one of the first or second sockets 30 or 50 mayinclude a tab 220 extending therefrom parallel to the base plate. Asillustrated in FIG. 17, the tab 220 may extend from the first side plate54 of the second socket 50 for use in securing to a bottom cap 222 (asillustrated in FIG. 18;). As illustrated in FIG. 17, the first sideplate 54 may extend below the base plate 52 wherein the tab 220 extendsfrom the first side plate 54. Optionally, the base plate 52 may beextended below the first and second side plates 54 and 56 wherein thetab extends from the base plate 52 as illustrated in FIG. 19. The tab220 may be secured to a side of the bottom cap 222 with fasteners or thelike to as to anchor the assembly of braces. As illustrated in the cutsheet of FIG. 24 for the apparatus of FIG. 17, the first side plate 54may also include a bottom panel 221 which may be oriented along the topof or within the bottom cap 222.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the first or second ends 24 or 26of the rigid member 22 (illustrated with reference to the second end inFIG. 21) may include an end plate 240 extending therefrom. Asillustrated in FIG. 21, the apparatus may include a vertical extension241 so as to position the rigid member 22 a distance above the end plate240 although the extension 241 may also be omitted as illustrated in thecut sheet for such an apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 23. The end plate240 extends perpendicularly from the rigid member 22 so as to lie in aplane substantially mutually orthogonal to the first and second sideplates 34 and 36 and the base plate 32 of the first socket. In such amanner, the end plate 240 is oriented to lie on a bottom cap 222. Itwill be appreciated that for use on at the first end 24 of the rigidmember, the end plate 240 will be positioned under a top cap (notshown). The end plate 240 engages and permits the apparatus to besecured to the bottom cap so as to anchor the assembly of bracesdescribed above. Optionally, the end plate 240 may include a furtherside plate extending perpendicularly downwards therefrom so as to lieagainst a side of the bottom cap as illustrated in FIG. 21. Theapparatus may include optionally include the end plate 240 incombination with the second socket or be utilized without as illustratedin FIG. 21. Additionally, embodiments having the rigid member 22 locatedproximate to an opposing surface of the wall studs 6 may also includesuch an end plate 240 as illustrated in FIG. 26 and a second side plate242 incorporated therein to contain the bottom cap 222 therein. Althoughthe end plate 240 and side plate 242 are illustrated as being locatedoutside of the bottom cap 222 or top cap, it will also be appreciatedthat they may also be contained within the channel of the bottom or topcaps as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28. Turning now to FIG. 29, analternative wall construction is illustrated generally at 300 having topand bottom members, 302 and 304, respectively with a plurality of wallstuds 306 and 308 extending therebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 29, thewall studs are staggered with front wall studs 306 being locatedproximate to a front surface of the wall and the rear wall studs 208being located proximate to a rear surface of the wall. As illustrated inFIGS. 29 and 30, an apparatus for bracing the wall studs to each otheris provided between the wall studs and generally illustrated at 310. Asset out above, the apparatus 310 may be applied to any stud type, suchas, by way of non-limiting example, metal studs as illustrated in FIG.29 or wood studs as illustrated in FIG. 32.

The apparatus 310 comprises a rigid member 312 extending between firstand second ends, 314 and 316, respectively. The first and second endshave first and second sockets 320 and 340, respectively extendingtherefrom. As set out above the first and second sockets are adapted toreceive one of the front of the wall studs 6 therein. Additionally, asset out above, the first socket 320 of one apparatus may be engagablewith a second socket 340 of an adjacent apparatus so as to beinterlocked therewith.

For use on the front wall studs 306, the first socket 320 is formed of abase panel 322 having first and second side panels, 324 and 326,respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 324and 326 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 322 soas to form a u-shaped socket. Similarly, the second socket 340 is formedof a base panel 342 having first and second side panels, 344 and 346,respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 344and 346 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 342 soas to form a u-shaped socket. In use, the first and second sockets 320and 340 are sized to receive the front surface of the front studstherein.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the rigid member 312 includes a centralsocket 360 located at a midpoint therealong. The central socket 360 isformed of a base panel 362 having first and second side panels, 364 and366, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels364 and 366 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 362so as to form a u-shaped socket. The central socket 360 is sized toreceive the front surface of the rear stud 308 therein. As illustratedin FIG. 30, the rigid member 312 extends from the first side panels 324and 344 at a position corresponding to the front surface of the rearstuds 308 such that the apparatus extends between two adjacent frontstuds while also being engaged upon an intervening rear stud.Corresponding apparatuses may be applied to the rear studs in a similarfashion. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 31, the rigid member mayinclude a central bore 370 at a midpoint thereof adapted to permit afastener to be passed therethrough to be secured to the front edge ofthe rear wall stud as set out above. As set out above, the apparatus 310of FIG. 31 may be applied to any stud type, such as, by way ofnon-limiting example, wood studs as illustrated in FIG. 33 or metalstuds as illustrated in FIG. 34.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 35, the central bore 370 may belocated at a position other than the midpoint of the rigid member so asto permit an end stud 309 to be secured thereto wherein the end stud 309has a spacing different from the remaining wall studs. With reference toFIGS. 36 and 37, the apparatus 310 may also include an end plate 240 asset out above for securing to a metal bottom member 304 as illustratedin FIG. 36 or a wood bottom member 304 as illustrated in FIG. 37.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of theinvention only and not as limiting the invention as construed inaccordance with the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structuralmembers to each other, each of the structural members extending betweentop and bottom ends and having front and rear surfaces, the apparatuscomprising: a ridged member extending between first and second ends andhaving a length sufficient to extend between two adjacent structuralmembers; a socket at each of the first and second ends of said rigidmember, each socket having a central axis therethrough and being formedof a base panel and first and second side panels, wherein at least oneof said sockets is adapted to engage with a socket of an adjacent rigidmember so as to interlink successive rigid members across a plurality ofstructural members, and wherein said rigid member is connected to saidfirst and second sockets at an end thereof distal to said base panel. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base panel of each socket isabuttable at against a corresponding base panel wherein said first andsecond side panels are engagable with corresponding first and secondside panels of said adjacent socket.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinsaid one of said first or second edge is angularly oriented relative tosaid central axis.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said side panelsof said socket overlap said side panels of said adjacent socket whensaid socket is engaged therewith.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said first and second panels and said base panel includefastener bores therethrough.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidcentral axes of said first and second sockets are substantially parallelto each other.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid memberextend diagonally between said first and second sockets, such that saidrigid member is angularly oriented relative to said central axes of saidfirst and second socket.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondside panels includes an end tab connectable to adjacent end tabs of acorresponding socket of an adjacent rigid member located on an opposededge of said structural member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidfirst side panel has a length selected to position said rigid member ata position between proximate to said first edge and proximate to saidsecond edge of said structural member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said first side panel has a length selected to position saidrigid member at a midpoint between said first and second edges of saidstructural member such that rigid members positioned from opposed edgesof said structural member are proximate to each other.
 11. The apparatusof claim 10 wherein said rigid members are have a space therebetween.12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said structural member comprises achannel, further comprising a reinforcing body sized correspond to saidchannel to be located within said channel at a position corresponding toone of said first and second sockets.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12wherein said reinforcing body has a c-shaped cross section.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing body has a question markshaped cross section.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least oneof said first panels of said first or second sockets includes a tabextending perpendicularly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positionedperpendicularly to said structural members.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said at least one of said base panels of said first or secondsockets includes a tab extending co-planarly therefrom adapted to overlya cap positioned perpendicularly to said structural members.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said first or second socketscomprise an end plate extending substantially perpendicular to a centralaxis of said other of said first or second sockets for engaging a cappositioned perpendicularly to said structural members.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17 wherein said end plate includes a side plate extendingperpendicularly therefrom to engage a side of said cap.